HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Zoning & Parks 04-03-1996MINUTES
PLANNING, ZONING AND PARKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEES
APRIL 3, 1996 GOVERNMENT CENTER, HUDSON, WISCONSIN
PRESENT: Thomas Dorsey, William Oemichen, Linda Luckey, Ron Raymond, George
Menter, George Sinclear, Richard King and Bob Draxler. Staff present: Ellen
Denzer, Dan Fedderly, Joe Grant, Don Kush, WCWRPC, and Terry Pederson,
WI -DOT.
ABSENT: Charlie Grant, excused.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Motion by King, seconded by Menter to
approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Bicycle Plan
Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly reviewed the process by which the proposed bicycle
plan was developed. Transportation Planner Don Kush from West Central Wisconsin
Regional Planning, reviewed the criteria and costs which were used to create the bicycle
plan and map. The Plan covers a 20 year planning time frame.
Approximately 25 people were in attendance. Audience comments were as follows:
Encouraged licensing bicycles to improve driver and bicyclist awareness of the rules of the
road. Bicycle safety and rights should have a greater role in driver's education training.
Several questions on why Minnesota is ahead of Wisconsin in trail development.
Minnesota does not charge for trail usage and most trails are blacktopped. Audience
members felt it is not appropriate to expect the taxpayer to always pay for bike trails and
we should look to private sources. Suggested going to businesses and organizations to
adopt trails and routes and develop them in partnership with the County.
Numerous comments that there should be more off -road trails in the plan. Audience felt
that all types of bicycle facilities are needed, shared roadways and designated shoulders
but the plan should depict more off -road bicycle trails to encourage family riding, tourism,
and pleasure riding. One audience member stated that off -road trails should be a priority
and the county should be able to afford them especially in the Hudson area.
Several audience members indicated that while people might not be commuting to work
on bicycles, there is a significant number of people who are using bicycles for short trips
to specific destinations such as restaurants, grocery stores, post office, library, YMCA,
etc.
Other audience members stated that they feel the plan should do a better job of
emphasizing trails, such as the Woodville Trail, which could attract tourism to the County.
A priority should be put on improving the Woodville Trail. It was pointed out that the
Woodville Trail is presently used by mountain bikes and its use should be encouraged.
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Also indicated that off -road trails would be a better use of "tax dollars" because they
satisfy families with small children, walkers, roller blades, and bikers and are used by a
wider variety of people.
Requested that the plan explore and prioritize and a map depict railroad lines which have
been abandoned or may be abandoned and which should be pursued for off -road bicycle
trails.
The Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation have created funding programs
to help with the cost of developing trails but these programs have had very low funding
levels in recent years. People were encouraged to let their legislators know that these
programs should be funded at higher levels to assist in trail development.
Audience members indicated that they did not feel County Road UU should have a paved
shoulder bike route, it is very dangerous and the off -road trail past the Catholic Church
should be continued out to State Highway 12. Audience members were encouraged to
develop public support and look for funding if they seriously feel it should be an off -road
path. In addition to development costs, additional right-of-way would have to be acquired.
The bicycle plan will be reviewed by the Transportation and Planning, Zoning and Parks
Committees in the next two months. Audience comments will be evaluated. Then the plan
will go to the County Board of Supervisors for adoption. Further comments can be
directed to Dan Fedderly at the Highway Department in Hammond or Ellen Denzer at the
Planning Department in Hudson.
Subdivision Ordinance Revisions
Committee reviewed proposed language regarding condominium plats to be incorporated
into the Subdivision Ordinance. Committee preferred the second proposal. Motion by
Raymond, seconded by Luckey to adopt the language per review by Corporation Counsel
and per Counsel's recommendations regarding minimum square footage and frontage
standards. Public hearing to be held on April 29, 1996 at the Troy Town Hall. Motion
carried.
Motion to adjourn made by Oemichen, seconded by Menter. Motion carried. Meeting
adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Ron Raymond, Secretary
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